Snapchat's Sneaky Update Adds New Filters and Message Replays

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By Stan Schroeder2013-12-23 16:24:28 UTC

Snapchat has updated its iOS and Android apps, adding several improvement like "smart" filters and the ability to replay photos and videos.

The photo and video messaging service now allows users to replay one snap every 24 hours. Normally, snaps are deleted after up to six seconds, never to be seen again. The new feature, however, gives users a second chance to view a photo or video they want to get a closer look at.

See also: Instagram vs. Snapchat: How the Photo-Sharing Apps Stack Up

The replay feature is rather limited, given you can only replay the most recent video or image in your stream.

New filters let users add additional information to snaps in a new layer, such as time, temperature and speed at which they were moving when the photo or video was shot. Three new filters include sepia, vintage and black and white; the first two were also available to users with secret codes (typing "B&w…" in the text box for black and white; typing "Sepia..." for sepia tone).

The update is hidden within Settings > Additional Services > Manage.

The update also includes front-facing flash, illuminating the device's screen for the perfect nighttime shot. You can also add up to seven best friends, up from just five.

You can download the new version of Snapchat for iOS here. The Android version is available here.

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Image: Mashable composite; Mashable, Nina Frazier

Topics: Android, apps, Apps and Software, iOS apps, Mobile, snapchat, Tech